Labor Department Launches New TIME SHEET APP for Employees to Track Their Hours Worked

May 2011

Employees can now track their hours worked, using a free app offered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The app is compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch and may be expanded to other smartphone platforms. In announcing the new tool, the Labor Department stresses that workers can now keep their own time records for hours worked and overtime hours, instead of relying on the employer’s records. Information on the app and how it works can be found from the Department of Labor at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dol-timesheet/id433638193?mt=8

The calendar includes information on workers’ rights and how to file a wage violation complaint with the Department’s Wage and Hour Division.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, unless an employee is “exempt,” the worker must be paid overtime (at least time-and-a-half the regular rate of pay) for time worked more than 40 hours in a work week. Exempt employees are generally salaried workers who qualify under Labor Department regulations as a bona-fide executive, administrative, professional, computer or outside sales personnel. (See Department of Labor regulations, 29 CFR Part 541). All other workers are “nonexempt,” and thus must receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.

The new app likely will produce more employee challenges to the employer’s records for hours worked and overtime-eligible hours. Worker complaints filed with the Wage and Hour Division have been on the rise and this trend is expected to continue. Wholesaler-distributors are well advised to review their recordkeeping systems to assure that the hours worked by their workforce are accurately recorded.